Hoppers Crossing Secondary College turned purple in a stand against bullying last week as it celebrated the Bullying No Way: National week of action.
The school held a series of student-initiated awareness raising activities throughout the week, including whole school lessons, barbecues, performances, stalls, a club fair, student pledges and a photo booth to promote the message that everyone belongs.
In the spirit of the week, the students dressed in purple – the new hero colour representing Bullying No Way.
Assistant principal Julia McCahon said the school is arming its students to tackle bullying.
“We are teaching our students to ensure they are upstanders rather than bystanders to any bullying behaviour that they may encounter, and to know how to manage and get support if required,” she said.
The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence was renamed to Bullying No Way: National week of action.
Bullying No Way Week ran from August 12-16 and is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative that connects schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.
This year’s theme was ‘everybody belongs’ and is all about respecting everyone’s differences and standing up together against unkindness so that everyone feels safe, heard and valued.
Jaidyn Kennedy
